Meet the author

Welcome!

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me and my blog!

My name is Maria. I am a holistic nutritionist, food blogger, recipe developer, aspiring food photographer, and dog lover. I created this blog in 2011 to keep track of my recipes and share my passion for nutrition and wellness.

I know that many people still think healthy food is boring, but I believe it’s delicious and beautiful.

About My Recipes

I don’t count calories or follow any trendy diets. I just do my best to eat a variety of fresh whole foods.

My goal is to create balanced meals with good sources of protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates, healthy fats, lots of veggies, greens, and all other great-tasting foods that are good for you.

Cooking at home can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for beginners, so I try to simplify complicated recipes by providing clear instructions, step-by-step photos, and videos.

My recipes are usually inspired by the seasons. I also enjoy experimenting with flavors, techniques, and ingredients from around the world.

Overhead shot of the new potato salad with tomatoes and dill on a white platter.

About My Work

In 2014, I completed the Applied Nutrition Diploma program at the Canadian Alive Academy of Natural Health and received my Holistic Nutritionist Certification.

Since then, I’ve focused on recipe development, food photography, and freelance writing. My work has appeared on popular websites as well as in print.

Here are a few highlights:

  • My recipes have been featured in many round-ups on websites such as Country Living, Buzzfeed, Greatist, Yummly, FaveHealthy Recipes, and many more;
  • I wrote articles about healthy eating and cooking for the Vitamix blog;
  • In addition to developing recipes for my blog, I also create recipes for Curious Cuisiniere;
  • My recipes are available through the online meal-planning service called EatLove;
  • My recipe and the photo of Chocolate and Raspberry Chia Pudding were published in Sweet Dreams Magazine (by Lisa Kochen & Backen, Germany).
As seen in:
Greatist logo.
Tasty logo.
BuzzFeed logo.
Country Living logo.
Pure Wow logo.
Foodgawker logo.
Parade logo.
Fave healthy recipe logo. The tag line is saying: everyday recipes with a lighter twist.

A Little Bit About Me

Here are a few facts I thought you might want to know about me:

  • I learned how to cook by following recipes and carefully measuring ingredients;
  • I am a Russian-born Canadian with German roots;
  • I have been living in Toronto, Canada, for over 20 years;
  • I speak three languages – Russian, English and German;
  • I read cookbooks like novels;
  • I like to sew my own clothes;
  • My favorite foods are coconut, chocolate, and raspberries.
Maria sitting on green grass in a park leaning agains a tree, with the laptop on her lap.

Shout-Out to My Team

Publishing a food blog is not an easy project, and I could have never done it without my team’s support! I am very fortunate to have met the talented, creative, and reliable people who help me make the magic happen.

And a Big Thank You to My Readers!

I really appreciate everyone who reads my blog and tries my recipes. We all live busy lives, so I am very grateful when my readers take time out of their day to rate my recipes and write comments.

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35 responses to “Meet Maria”

  1. judith Avatar
    judith

    I love your recipes. I thought nobody made navy pasta anymore.
    thank you

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      @judith, Aww, thank you! Navy pasta is alive and well 🙂

    2. Petra Avatar
      Petra

      @Maria Ushakova, what on earth is navy pasta? 🙂 I did a search here on your website, but I didn’t come up with anything. Very curious!

    3. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      @Petra, Navy pasta is a Russian pasta dish. I made the recipe for another website. You can check it out here: https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/russian-navy-pasta/

  2. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara

    Maria, what a delightful find your site is. I love the variety in your recipes, the healthful approach, the amount of information you offer, your photography, and layout. Thanks for making this available.

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      @Barbara, Aww, thank you so much! I am so glad you like it 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

  3. Francine Avatar
    Francine

    WOW! What a fantastic site. I’m 88 years old with NO prescription drugs and ALL readings in the normal range. My doctors can’t believe what they see. The only answer to good health is just FOOD. The Greeks had it right 2000 years ago.
    Stumbled across your site looking for black rice, since the nutritional value is off the chart. Everything else looks wonderful. Will I ever get out of the kitchen? Thanks so much.

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      @Francine, Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I am so glad you like my blog. Kitchen is a great place to be 🙂

  4. Martha Avatar
    Martha

    Good info on oatmeal sweetening without sugar. Thank you.

  5. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    Our friend gave us a huge basket of his avocados, which all ripened within a very short time of each other. Looking for avocado soup recipes, I came across yours and have now twice used it when entertaining friends. I live in Spain, and cold anything is just perfect at this time of the year. I had to write to you to let you know how much everyone has complimented me on your recipe, which, of course, I have passed on to them. Thank you. I love the tip you give about storing the soup in a glass jar – it really keeps the soup that lovely fresh green color.

    1. Maria Avatar
      Maria

      @Amanda, Hi Amanda! I am so glad you like the recipe! Thank you so much for writing the lovely comment. It really made my day. I appreciate you taking the time to write it 🙂

  6. CK Avatar
    CK

    I just finished my meal that consisted of the Pan Fried Trout Fillet recipe. Left a review (with apologies for the lack of brevity!).

    VERY GOOD!

    — The Mad Chef Wanna Be!

    1. Maria Avatar
      Maria

      @CK, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! I am glad you liked the recipe 🙂

  7. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    I’m going to try your recipe for rainbow trout, which seems easy and quick by seasoning and simply frying in a few minutes. I like easy, by the way.

  8. Enid Avatar
    Enid

    Hi!
    Your profile is very appealing to my interests! Reading about you I searched Alive Academy and found some nutritional courses that I may be interested in. Many thanks for sharing your education and experience. I am a Romanian Canadian living in Vancouver and I will gladly follow you to learn more about nutrition and how can I improve the family meals.

    1. Maria Avatar
      Maria

      @Enid, I am so glad you found the information helpful! Thank you so much for checking out my blog 🙂

  9. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara

    I have had an absolutely wonderful time examining the recipes here. I was looking specifically for a recipe for a salad using raw turnips and found that and some other wonderful recipes. I would like to come back again and I have included my email address below.

    1. Maria Avatar
      Maria

      @Barbara, I am so glad you like my recipes! At this time, I am unable to send out email newsletters. For updates, you can follow me on facebook right here: http://www.facebook.com/MariaUshakova.FanPage

  10. Craig Avatar
    Craig

    Maria: question. Can you do a similar article for ancient grains? I bake sourdough bread using red fife, kernza, spelt and Einkorn. It’s to find sprouted organic flour like kernza and spelt. When possible but I’ve not been able to find the reliable glycemic index or glycemic load data.
    Thanks for your help.

    1. Maria Avatar
      Maria

      @Craig, Try https://glycemicindex.com/gi-search/ . If they don’t have it, then it’s probably not available.

  11. Hope Avatar
    Hope

    Hello Maria,
    I found your website, when I was googling how to make thyme tea. Voila, you popped up. This morning, as I sit at my computer in the US, we are beginning day 5 of self-isolation. My husband and I are seniors. I never thought of myself as old, until the worldwide epidemic hit. I love your website, your sense of humor, and your words. I will be following you on fb.
    Also, we adopted our daughter from Russia. What part of Russia are you from? She is from Tyumen.
    Stay well. Drink tea, and may we all breathe well.
    Hope

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      Hi Hope! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It made my morning so much better 🙂 Isn’t it ironic that in times like these, when most of us are staying at home in isolation, we realize that we are all connected to each other in more ways than we’ve ever imagined. I am from Novosibirsk, which is not that far from Tyumen considering Russian distances. Stay home, stay safe, and hopefully, the situation will improve soon.

      1. Hope Avatar
        Hope

        I’m just seeing your response now, as I am beginning my thyme tea regimen, since winter is around the corner. I have good friends who adopted their daughter from Novosibirsk.
        Thank you for your warm response.

        Be well,
        Hope

        1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
          Maria Ushakova

          Hi Hope! Great to have you back 🙂 I find it so interesting that your friends adopted their daughter from my home town. What a small world we live in!

  12. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    We are looking into eating to stabilize our blood sugar, neither my husband or I are diabetic, we just want to be more healthy. One question though, I am allergic to tree nuts so what can I use to substitute. I am not allergic to peanuts, but am concerned about the fats.

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      Hi Stephanie! Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog :). I would suggest consulting someone who specializes in allergies to find a safe substitute for tree nuts.

  13. Suzie Avatar
    Suzie

    The recipes I have looked at look fantastic I am writing a grocery list now!!

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      Hi Suzie! So glad you like them! Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog 🙂

  14. Deborah Avatar
    Deborah

    I’m going to try your spelt pancakes and raspberry muffins I am enjoying your blog just found it I will post picture I may need to use black berries will that work thanks Denorah

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      Hi Deborah! Yes, blackberries should work just fine. Thanks for checking out my blog 🙂

  15. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    Hello, Maria! I found your blog via Pinterest, and I am really enjoying reading. I have visited your beautiful city (long time ago), and visited within the Ukrainian community there. You have chosen a lovely place to live!
    I am 60 and living with type 2 Diabetes, and trying to help others through a facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingwellwithdiabetes . It is intended as a support group and a source of internet resources to help those with Diabetes live healthier lives.
    I appreciate this blog, and look forward to continued reading, cooking, …

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar
      Maria Ushakova

      Thank you so much for checking out my blog and taking the time to leave a comment! My blog is not focused on diabetic recipes but I do have a few low glycemic recipes so let me know if you try any :).

  16. Prospera Ofelia Avatar
    Prospera Ofelia

    i’m glad I found your website. I’ve been looking for healthy recipes specially soups which my husband loves and for my children to enjoy. Dinner is our family bonding time where we enjoy each other. I will try the Hearty Chicken and White Beans Soup which ingredients we have here in the Philippines. We always have vegetables, fish and chicken as our food. T
    he pictures shown are so hmm… yummy. Thanks Maria. Take care always.

  17. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    Landed on your website and I look forward to trying these recipes out ! 🙂

    1. Maria Ushakova Avatar

      Hi Carla! Thank you for checking out my website! I hope you’ll find some recipes to try 🙂